Party Leaders and Candidates urged to sign Medicare Protection Pledge

Party Leaders and Candidates urged to sign Medicare Protection Pledge

2004-05-21

Canadian Health
Coalition

OTTAWA - May 21, 2004 – The Canadian Health
Coalition (CHC) today launched a broad-based non-partisan campaign
to protect and strengthen Medicare. The objective is to secure a
clear position from all candidates in the upcoming election on non-profit
health care delivery.

“We are committed to do all we can to protect Medicare’s
values and principles from betrayal. The health system belongs to
the people of Canada. They own it. They pay for it. It’s not
the governments’ to give away,” said CHC spokesperson,
Shirley Douglas.

“Before Canadians vote, they need to know where each candidate
stands on for-profit delivery of health care,” said Ms. Douglas.
“This matters because the evidence demonstrates that not-for-profit
health care delivery is safer, cheaper, more accountable and respects
Canadian values.”

A key aspect of the campaign involves asking candidates, public
office holders, and prominent Canadians to sign a “Medicare
Protection Pledge”